Backbends, dropbacks. Sloooooooow assisted dropbacks, and urdhva dhanurasana for long holds. I felt like my guts were gonna shoot out from under my skin. What’s the dealio? Does anyone have any insights? I was breathless and had that intense stomach weirdness (not nausea, not an ache, but just a kind of bitter spasmy feeling) that you can get from overexertion.

In other situations where I’ve run into this, it was a feeling that passed after a few more workouts/bike rides/hard climbs. I’m assuming (as in, praying!) that this, too, will pass. Anyone else ever had it?

I know a lot of advanced practicioners drink coffee before practice, but for me it’s a no-no these days as it does make me quite nauseous in backbends. Instead, a large glass (1 pint) of water helps things move and re-hydrates me nicely for the practice. After practice I gulp my breakfast down and THEN I have coffee 🙂

Hi, I enjoy your writing. I’ve never seen an asana-related upchuck. I wake up super early and eat about 3 before practice – just fruit/cereal and herb tea. The amounts are very small, but I find I need to have some food in my system for energy before practice. I don’t know why or if there is any the fuzz against coffee in yoga circles. They prepare strong coffee for you for after yoga in India, I’ve been told by a senior teacher.

Thanks for sharing about the stomach feeling from urdha danurasana. I’ve experienced it and it’s good to know it will go away.
Cheers
Arturo